Cord control and accessories having cord control for use with portable electronic devices

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates generally to portable electronic devices, and more particularly to cord control and accessories having cord control for use with portable electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

0002Portable electronic devices have been popular for decades yet continue to increase in popularity. Many modern portable electronic devices are intended or suitable for recording or playback of acoustic and/or video signals. For example, portable CD or DVD players, MPEG players, MP-3 players, etc. provide a vast variety of forms of personal entertainment. Whether audio and/or video entertainment, there are numerous portable electronic devices to satisfy any user's tastes.

0003Similarly, portable electronic devices in the form of mobile phones, pagers, communicators, e.g., electronic organizers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones or the like are also becoming increasingly popular. Such devices allow a user to communicate with others, store and manipulate data, create text, etc., many times within the same device.

0004Depending on the particular application(s) a given portable electronic device performs, oftentimes one or more accessories are used in combination with the portable electronic device. Examples of such accessories include headsets, portable keyboards, input pens, scanners, etc. which may be coupled to the portable electronic device via an appropriate cord and connector. As a particular example, for many applications it is necessary to have a headset, the headset typically comprising one or more loudspeakers, which may be in the form of one or two earplugs, and/or one or more microphones. By using a headset, a user of a mobile phone can enjoy more privacy when the others around him or her cannot hear the telephone conversation. Further, by using a suitable microphone in the headset, the telephone call can still be successfully arrived at even though there may be much background noise.

0005Many accessories used with portable electronic devices make it desirable or even necessary to be able to control the portable electronic device via the accessory. For example, in the case of a headset it is desirable to be able to control the volume of the portable electronic device via the headset. This avoids a user having to reach into his or her pocket, purse, or whereever the portable electronic device may be held, in order to adjust the volume on the portable electronic device itself. For a portable music player or mobile phone which includes a music player, it is desirable for the user to be able to control such functions as volume, play, stop, skip, repeat, pause, etc. via the headset. For a mobile phone, it is desirable for the user to be able to answer or end a call via the headset so as to avoid the need to reach for the mobile phone in a pocket, purse, etc. With other types of accessories, it may be desirable to turn the portable electronic device on and off, or some other function(s), via the accessory itself.

0006There have been accessories in the past that allowed the user to control the personal electronic device via the accessory itself. For example, there have been headsets that included volume control. However, the volume control is typically in the form of buttons on the earpieces themselves, which leads to a more bulky enclosure and generally uncomfortable experience for the wearer. The more control buttons there are, the more bulky and uncomfortable the headsets become. Similarly, there have been headsets that have included volume control via a control switch located on the cord that connects the earpieces to the portable electronic device. However, the control switch typically is in the form of a small box-shaped enclosure that houses a sliding switch, press buttons, or the like. In such case, the cord of the accessory becomes more bulky and uncomfortable, causing extra weight and more of a pendulum effect as the wearer walks. Again, the more control buttons there are, the more bulky and uncomfortable the headsets become.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0007In view of the aforementioned shortcomings, there is a strong need in the art for an accessory capable of controlling a personal electronic device without causing excessive bulk and/or discomfort for the user.

0008According to an aspect of the invention, a control cord for connecting an auxiliary device to a portable electronic device is provided. The control cord includes a flexible longitudinal housing and a plurality of electrical conductors extending from one end of the housing to which the auxiliary device will be connected, to an other end of the housing. In addition, the control cord includes a connector affixed to the other end of the housing and configured to connect the plurality of electrical conductors to the portable electronic device to enable operation of the portable electronic device in cooperation with the auxiliary device. The connector includes at least one terminal configured to be received by the portable electronic device, and the at least one terminal provides a control input to the portable electronic device, the control input being derived from physical manipulation of the housing.

0009According to an aspect, the control input is derived from a change in impedance resulting from physical manipulation of the housing.

0010According to another aspect, the control input is derived from a change in resistance.

0011According to yet another aspect, the control input is derived from a change in capacitance.

0012In accordance with yet another aspect, the housing includes an inner sheath surrounding the plurality of conductors, and an outer sheath surrounding and generally separated from the inner sheath, the control input being derived from a physical change in spacing between the inner sheath and the outer sheath.

0013In accordance with still another aspect, a surface of the inner sheath and a surface of the outer sheath facing one another are each at least partially electrically conductive.

0014According to another aspect, the control cord further includes a flexible spacer for providing the separation between the surfaces of the inner sheath and the outer sheath, the spacer having a tendency to yield as a result of the physical manipulation so as to allow the surfaces of the inner sheath and the outer sheath to contact each other.

0015According to still another aspect, at least one of the surfaces of the inner sheath and the outer sheath is at least partially electrically resistive.

0016According to yet another aspect, the surfaces of the inner sheath and the outer sheath are separated by a flexible dielectric material, the dielectric material having a tendency to yield as a result of the physical manipulation so as to allow the surfaces of the inner sheath and the outer sheath to vary in distance with respect to each other.

0017In accordance with a different aspect, the control cord further includes circuitry to detect the change in impedance and produces the control signal based thereon.

0018According to another aspect, the circuitry detects discrete changes in impedance.

0019According to another aspect, the circuitry detects continuous changes in impedance.

0020In accordance with yet another aspect, the control cord further includes an adaptor to adapt the control signal according to a predetermined criteria associated with a predefined portable electronic device.

0021In accordance with another aspect, a portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes functional circuitry for carrying out a predefined function, a device connector for receiving the connector of the control cord, and an adaptor for adapting the control signal provided by the control cord according to a predetermined criteria associated with the portable electronic device in or to control the operation of the portable electronic device.

0022According to an aspect, the control signal is operative to control at least one of play, pause, stop, volume, track selection, call answer, call send, and call end.

0023According to an aspect, the portable electronic device is a mobile phone.

0024According to another aspect, the portable electronic device is a music player.

0025According to still another aspect, a portable electronic accessory is provided. The portable electronic accessory includes a control cord and further includes an auxiliary device.

0026In accordance with another aspect, the auxiliary device is a personal hands-free device for a mobile phone.

0027In accordance with yet another aspect, the auxiliary device is a personal headphone.

0028According to another aspect, a method of controlling a portable electronic device operable with an auxiliary device is provided. The control cord connects the auxiliary device to the portable electronic device and includes a flexible longitudinal housing and a plurality of electrical conductors extending from one end of the housing to which the auxiliary device is connected, to an other end of the housing. The control cord further includes a connector affixed to the other end of the housing and configured to connect the plurality of electrical conductors to the portable electronic device to enable operation of the portable electronic device in cooperation with the auxiliary device. The connector includes at least one terminal configured to be received by the portable electronic device, the at least one terminal providing a control input to the portable electronic device, the control input being derived from physical manipulation of the housing. The method includes the steps of physically manipulating the housing; and effecting a change in the operation of the portable electronic device as a result of the step of physically manipulating the housing.

0029According to another aspect, the step of physically manipulating the housing includes compressing the housing.

0030In accordance with another aspect, the step of physically manipulating the housing includes bending the housing.

0031In accordance with yet another aspect, the step of physically manipulating the housing includes physically manipulating the housing in a continuous manner along at least a portion of a length of the control cord.

0032According to another aspect, the step of physically manipulating effects a change in volume of the portable electronic device.

0033To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

0034It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic perspective view of an auxiliary device having cord control as used with a portable electronic device in accordance with an example of the present invention;

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a schematic block diagram of an auxiliary device with having cord control in accordance with an example of the present invention;

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a schematic longitudinal cross section of a control cord, in relevant part, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

0038<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic end cross section of the control cord of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a graph that exemplifies a change in impedance of the control cord based on a location at which the cord is physically manipulated along a length of the cord in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a schematic longitudinal cross section of a control cord, in relevant part, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a schematic longitudinal cross section of a control cord, in relevant part, in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;

0042<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a schematic end cross section of the control cord of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

0043<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a schematic block diagram of a control cord and portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

0044<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a schematic block diagram of a control cord and portable electronic device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

0045The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference labels are used to refer to like elements throughout.

0046<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an accessory <b>20</b> in accordance with the present invention. In this particular example, the accessory <b>20</b> includes an auxiliary device in the form of a headset <b>22</b>, which connects to a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone <b>24</b>, by way of a control cord <b>26</b>. As is conventional, the headset <b>22</b> allows a user of the mobile phone <b>24</b> to experience personal hands-free (PHF) communications with someone at the other end of a call.

0047The control cord <b>26</b> of the present invention includes a flexible longitudinal housing <b>28</b> that includes one or more electrically conductive wires which connect the headset <b>22</b> to the mobile phone <b>24</b>. Specifically, the headset <b>22</b> is connected at one end of the housing <b>28</b> and a connector <b>30</b> is connected at the other end. The connector <b>30</b> is configured to be removeably connectable to the mobile phone <b>24</b> via a corresponding connector <b>32</b> included within the mobile phone <b>24</b>. This allows the user to attach the PHF accessory <b>20</b> to the mobile phone whenever desired, as is known.

0048In one embodiment, the headset <b>22</b> is fixedly attached to the end of the control cord <b>26</b> via an appropriate connector (not shown) so as to remain fixedly a part of the control cord <b>26</b>. According to another embodiment, the headset <b>22</b> is removeably connected to the control cord <b>26</b> such that the same control cord <b>26</b> can be used with a variety of different auxiliary devices including the headset <b>22</b>.

0049As will be appreciated in view of the following description, the control cord <b>26</b> of the present invention allows the user to control the operation of the mobile phone <b>24</b> (or other portable electronic device) simply by physical manipulation of the control cord <b>26</b>. More specifically, the user may control the mobile phone <b>24</b> simply by squeezing, pinching, bending, etc., the flexible longitudinal housing <b>28</b>. As a result of such physical manipulation, changes in one or more characteristics of the control cord <b>26</b>, such as the resistance or capacitance, may be detected in order to control the mobile phone <b>24</b>. The physical manipulation of the housing <b>28</b> enables various different types of control to be provided without the need for control buttons or switches on the headset <b>22</b> or control cord <b>26</b> themselves. This avoids the headset or cord becoming overly bulky and uncomfortable for the user.

0050The present invention is described herein primarily in the context of an accessory and cord control for a mobile phone <b>24</b>. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention has application to a variety of types of accessories and portable electronic devices. The present invention is intended to encompass any and all types of accessories and portable electronic devices without necessarily being limited to mobile phones.

0051The term “portable electronic device” as referred to herein includes portable radio communication equipment. The term “portable radio communication device”, also referred to herein as a “mobile radio terminal”, includes all equipment such as mobile phones, pagers, communicators, e.g., electronic organizers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones or the like.

0052Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the control cord <b>26</b> and headset <b>22</b> are illustrated in detail. The headset <b>22</b> includes a speaker <b>40</b> and microphone <b>42</b>. The speaker <b>40</b> is designed for placement near the ear of the user and the microphone <b>42</b> near the mouth (e.g., via a boom), as is conventional. One or more electrically conductive wires <b>44</b> are included within the longitudinal housing <b>28</b> of the control cord <b>26</b> and connect the speaker <b>40</b> to corresponding terminals <b>46</b> in the connector <b>30</b>. As will be appreciated, the wires <b>44</b> serve to conduct audio signals from the mobile phone <b>24</b> to the speaker <b>40</b> to allow the user to hear the party on the other end of the call in a personal, hands-free manner. Similarly, one or more electrically conductive wires <b>48</b> are included with the longitudinal housing <b>28</b> and connect the microphone <b>42</b> to corresponding terminals <b>50</b> in the connector <b>30</b>. As again will be appreciated, the wires <b>48</b> serve to conduct audio signals from the microphone <b>42</b> to the mobile phone <b>24</b> to allow the user to speak to the party on the other end of the call in a personal, hands-free manner.

0053In the example of the present invention shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the control cord <b>26</b> further includes a pair of terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> within the connector <b>30</b>. As will be explained in more detail below, the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> are electrically connected within the control cord <b>26</b> to provide a control input to the mobile phone <b>24</b> that is derived from physical manipulation of the housing <b>28</b>. This control input may be represented by a change of impedance (e.g., resistance and/or capacitance) across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b>. Alternatively, the control input can be represented by discrete voltages, digital codes, etc., which are output at the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b>. Either way, the physical manipulation of the housing <b>28</b>, e.g., squeezing, pinching, bending, etc., results in a control input provided to the mobile phone <b>24</b>. This control input may serve to raise or lower the volume of the headset <b>22</b>, pick up or end a call, etc. So long as the control cord <b>26</b> is configured to provide the control input to the mobile phone <b>24</b> in a predefined manner understood by the mobile phone <b>24</b>, the user may use the control cord <b>26</b> to control virtually any function simply by physically manipulating the housing <b>28</b>. There is no need for extra control buttons on the headset <b>22</b> or control boxes housing switches or control buttons provided in addition to the flexible longitudinal housing <b>28</b>.

0054<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref> respectively represent a side and end cross-section of the longitudinal housing <b>28</b>, in relevant part, according to one particular embodiment of the present invention. The housing <b>28</b> includes a generally hollow core <b>60</b> through which the electrically conductive wires <b>44</b> and <b>48</b> (not shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3</figref> and <b>4</b>) extend between the connector <b>30</b> and the headset <b>22</b>. The hollow core <b>60</b> is formed by a generally cylindrical inner sheath <b>62</b>. The inner sheath <b>62</b> is preferably made of a flexible material such as generally soft rubber or plastic of the type typically used as an insulative/protective covering for the cord connecting a headset to a portable electronic device. By flexible, it is meant herein that the material is generally susceptible to resilient bending or flexing along the longitudinal axis of the housing <b>28</b> and/or radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing <b>28</b>.

0055An electrically conductive layer <b>64</b> is provided on the outer surface of the inner sheath <b>62</b> as best illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. Preferably the conductive layer <b>64</b> is provided along the majority of the length of the housing <b>28</b>, but at least is provided along the relevant portion of the housing <b>28</b> at which physical manipulation of the housing is intended to provide control. The conductive layer <b>64</b> is connected to terminal <b>52</b> in the connector <b>30</b>, either directly or indirectly based on the particular embodiment of the invention as will be appreciated herein. The conductive layer <b>64</b> preferably is made of a thin sheet of copper or other conductive material laminated to the surface of the inner sheath <b>62</b>. Alternatively, the conductive layer <b>64</b> may be made of an electrically conductive material that is deposited on the surface of the inner sheath <b>62</b> using known deposition techniques. The particular manner in which the conductive layer <b>64</b> is formed on the surface of the inner sheath <b>62</b> is not germane to the invention in its broadest sense, and any and all methods are contemplated herein.

0056Surrounding the conductive layer <b>62</b> is a spacer layer <b>66</b>. Surrounding the spacer layer <b>66</b> is a conductive layer <b>68</b> formed on an inner surface of an outer sheath <b>70</b> included in the housing <b>28</b>. The spacer layer <b>66</b> is itself flexible and generally serves to separate the conductive layer <b>64</b> on the outer surface of the inner sheath <b>62</b> from the conductive layer <b>68</b> formed on an inner surface of a generally cylindrical outer sheath <b>70</b>. In the exemplary embodiment, the spacer layer <b>66</b> may be made of a non-conductive mesh sleeve. For example, the spacer layer <b>66</b> may be made of a woven fabric such as nylon or the like. The thickness and density of the fiber(s) making up the woven fabric are selected such that in a normal state (i.e., absent physical manipulation of the housing <b>28</b> by the user), the spacer layer <b>66</b> maintains a separation between the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b>. On the other hand, if the housing <b>28</b> is pinched, squeezed or bent, for example by the fingers of a user, the spacer layer <b>66</b> yields radially such that the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> contact one another at the location of the pinch, squeeze, bend, etc.

0057The conductive layer <b>68</b>, similar to the conductive layer <b>64</b>, is connected either directly or indirectly to the terminal <b>54</b> in the connector <b>30</b>. According to an embodiment of the invention, one or both of the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> includes a resistive component. As a result, in the case where the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> are directly connected to the conductive layers, the resistance presented across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> will vary as a function of where along the length of the housing <b>28</b> the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> contact one another as a result of the pinch, squeeze, bend, etc. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates how the resistance R across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> will tend to increase the further from the connector <b>30</b> the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> contact one another as a result of the pinch, squeeze, bend, etc.

0058The mobile phone <b>24</b>, by detecting the change in resistance as a result of the physical manipulation, can be configured to increase volume, decrease volume, etc. For example, the resistance R across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> may be divided into a number of discrete bands along the length of the longitudinal housing <b>28</b>. By way of the user pinching, bending or squeezing the housing <b>28</b> so as to cause contact between the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b>, a resultant resistance is presented across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b>. The mobile phone <b>24</b> may be configured to determine which band the resistance falls within, and adjusts the volume to the headset <b>22</b> to a corresponding level. In this manner, the cord control may be used to provide volume control for a discrete number of levels (e.g., eleven).

0059Alternatively, the housing <b>28</b> may be physically manipulated in what may be referred to as a continuous manner. For example, a user may pinch, squeeze or bend the housing <b>28</b> at a particular location using his or her fingers. While maintaining the pinch, squeeze or bend, the user may slide his or her fingers up or down so as to change the particular location of the pinch, squeeze or bend along the length of the housing. Depending on whether the user slides his or her fingers towards the connector <b>30</b> or away, the resistance across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> will decrease or increase with respect to time during such sliding. The mobile phone <b>24</b> may be configured to detect such continuous decrease or increase in resistance and adjust the volume level proportionally. It will be apparent, based on the disclosure herein, that an entire variety of controls can be provided utilizing the basic principles of the invention.

0060Similar to the inner sheath <b>62</b>, the outer sheath <b>70</b> preferably is made of a flexible material such as generally soft rubber or plastic of the type typically used as an insulative/protective covering for the cord connecting a headset to a portable electronic device. Also, the conductive layer <b>68</b> preferably is provided along the majority of the length of the housing <b>28</b>, but at least is provided along the relevant portion of the housing <b>28</b> at which physical manipulation of the housing is intended to provide control. The conductive layer <b>68</b> preferably is made of a thin sheet of copper or other conductive material laminated to the surface of the inner sheath <b>62</b>. Alternatively, the conductive layer <b>68</b> may be made of an electrically conductive material that is deposited on the inner surface of the outer sheath <b>70</b> using known deposition techniques. The particular manner in which the conductive layer <b>68</b> is formed also is not germane to the invention in its broadest sense, and any and all methods are contemplated herein.

0061<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates an embodiment of the invention that utilizes capacitive principles rather than resistive principles as in the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>. The configuration of the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is generally the same as that of the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>, as represented by like reference numerals. Accordingly, only the primary differences are discussed herein for sake of brevity. Specifically, the spacer layer <b>66</b> in the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref> is replaced by a flexible dielectric layer <b>80</b> as is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. The dielectric layer <b>80</b> separates the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b>, thereby presenting a capacitance value across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> in the case where the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> are directly connected to the terminals. Under normal conditions (i.e., without physical manipulation of the housing <b>28</b>), the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> will have some given capacitance there across. Upon a user pinching, squeezing or bending the housing <b>28</b>, the flexible dielectric layer <b>80</b> will tend to yield radially at the location of the pinching, squeezing, or bending. This results in the spacing between the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> distorting and generally becoming reduced at the location of the pinching, squeezing, bending, etc. Consequently, the capacitance presented across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> will vary in accordance with the location and/or degree of the physical manipulation.

0062The particular capacitive characteristics of the housing <b>28</b> can be determined theoretically or empirically, and similar to the resistive embodiment, the changes in the capacitance across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> may serve to control the mobile phone <b>24</b>. In yet another embodiment, one or more of the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> may include a resistive component similar to the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>. In this case, the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> will exhibit a complex impedance which can serve to control the mobile phone <b>24</b> in similar manner.

0063The embodiments of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-4</figref> and <b>6</b> each rely on changes in characteristics of the housing <b>28</b> independent of the wires <b>44</b> and <b>48</b> that provide the audio signals between the headset <b>22</b> and the mobile phone <b>24</b>. In the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 8</figref>, on the other hand, the very same wires <b>44</b> and <b>48</b> may be utilized. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates how the housing <b>28</b> may include a pair of wires <b>44</b> and a pair of wires <b>48</b> for providing audio signals to/from the speaker <b>40</b> and microphone <b>42</b>, respectively. The wires <b>44</b> and <b>48</b> are within an outer sheath <b>70</b> and are generally surrounded by a flexible dielectric material <b>80</b>. The terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> are connected to the wires <b>44</b> and <b>48</b>, for example in a bridge arrangement. When the housing <b>28</b> is physically manipulated, the spacing between the wires <b>44</b> and <b>48</b> will become distorted, thereby changing the capacitance across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> compared to the normal state where the housing <b>28</b> is not physically manipulated. Again, this change in characteristics of the housing <b>28</b> may be used to control the mobile phone <b>24</b>.

0064Particularly in the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 8</figref>, preferably sufficient isolation is provided at the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> so as to avoid loading down the audio signals on the wires <b>44</b> and <b>48</b>, as will be appreciated.

0065<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a functional block diagram of the control cord <b>26</b> and mobile phone <b>24</b> according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> are connected directly to terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b>, respectively, so as to provide a control signal in the form of a direct impedance value. The terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> are connected to the mobile phone <b>24</b> via the connector <b>32</b>. Included within the mobile phone <b>24</b> is an impedance measuring circuit <b>86</b> which detects the impedance (e.g., resistance or capacitance) presented across terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b>. The impedance measuring circuit <b>86</b> outputs the measured impedance value to an adaptor <b>88</b> which adapts the impedance (or change therein) to discrete voltage(s), resistance(s), digital command(s), etc., which are in a form that the mobile phone <b>24</b> is accustomed to receiving control signals from an auxiliary device. The output of the adaptor <b>88</b> is provided to an input/output (I/O) interface <b>90</b> and controller <b>92</b> within the mobile phone <b>24</b>. Based on the output of the adaptor <b>88</b>, the controller <b>92</b> controls the functions <b>94</b> (e.g., transmitting/receiving calls, controlling a phone list, etc.) of the mobile phone <b>24</b> in conventional manner.

0066The embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> presupposes that the mobile phone <b>24</b> is not configured already to receive an impedance based control signal across the terminals <b>52</b> and <b>54</b> directly into the I/O interface <b>90</b>. Thus, the impedance measuring circuit <b>86</b> and adaptor <b>88</b> are provided. The impedance measuring circuit <b>86</b> and adaptor <b>88</b> may be included within the mobile phone <b>24</b> as shown, by adding such circuitry to conventional or existing mobile phone designs. Alternatively, the impedance measuring circuit <b>86</b> and adaptor <b>88</b> may be configured and sold as a separate add-on device that connects on one end to a conventional mobile phone <b>24</b>, and connects on the other end to the control cord <b>26</b> via the connector <b>30</b>.

0067As yet another alternative, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates an embodiment in which the connector <b>30</b> of the control cord <b>26</b> includes the impedance measuring circuit <b>86</b> and adaptor <b>88</b>. Power for the circuits can be provided by a battery within the connector <b>30</b> (not shown), or by the mobile telephone <b>24</b> itself via the I/O interface <b>90</b>. The conductive layers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> from the longitudinal housing <b>28</b> are directly input to the impedance measuring circuit <b>86</b> via connections <b>52</b>′ and <b>54</b>′, respectively. The impedance measuring circuit <b>86</b> measures the impedance, or change thereof, and provides its output to the adaptor <b>88</b> similar to the embodiment in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. The adaptor <b>88</b> outputs the appropriate control signal via terminals <b>52</b>/<b>54</b> via the connector <b>30</b> to the mobile phone <b>24</b>.

0068It will be appreciated that the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> allows the control cord <b>26</b> to be configured and sold as a device specific accessory. In other words, the user or owner of a conventional mobile phone <b>24</b> may buy a control cord <b>26</b> designed to provide the appropriate control signals to the mobile phone <b>24</b> without the need for a separate, add-on adaptor.

0069Again, the present invention provides a manner for controlling a portable electronic device based simply on the physical manipulation of the control cord that connects an auxiliary device to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can be a mobile phone, CD player, MP-3 player, video player, etc. The particular functions that are controlled can be virtually any function for which it is preferable to control or adjust via the cord rather than having to reach inconveniently into a pocket, purse, etc. and/or be exposed to bulky and uncomfortable controls. Such functions may include volume, track selection, skip, call answer, call send, call end, etc.

0070Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.